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You will need a barrel nut wrench, small pin punches to drive the roll pins. You will need something to hold the receiver or the barrel for tightening the barrel nut or a free float handguard set's barrel nut. See Brownells' for gun smithing tools.

Here you go a kit of two very useful tools. I have these and they work perfectly.

I have the same tools from brownells and they get the job done. One tip, press the roll pins in where possible with a small clamp or vice grips. You can use tape to prevent marring. Those roll pins damage easily when you start banging on them and also get lost easily so order extras when you place your order. Nothing is worse than having a paper weight because of a stupid roll pin.

I have the same tools from brownells and they get the job done. One tip, press the roll pins in where possible with a small clamp or vice grips. You can use tape to prevent marring. Those roll pins damage easily when you start banging on them and also get lost easily so order extras when you place your order. Nothing is worse than having a paper weight because of a stupid roll pin.

+1 on using pliers to install the roll pins. I use channel locks. Wrap the jaws with tape.

I ask b/c a buddy of mine and I talk once in awhile about building an AR.

The problem is that by the time I factor in the tools needed for a one time build, I'm better off buying. And that's what I did the last time I got a new AR.

I bought a complete lower w/ a 6 position stock locally for around $250 tax included, and then ordered an upper from Armalite that cost around $525 plus shipping. IIRC my new rifle came in at just under $800 by 10 or 15 bucks.

I imagine that I could have saved $100 to $150 by building it myself. But I also imagine the tools would have cost me about the same. So, I took the easy way out.

Also, I'm interested in purchasing used Military uppers and mounting them on a new AR lower. So, I can't help but wonder what would be needed to build a lower from scratch as opposed to both the upper and the lower.

a magwell block is nice (and not that expensive) but isn't necessary. Only need a stock wrench if installing a collapsable stock. Roll pin punches are nice, but you can install the two that are in the lower with pliers. use a putty knife or razor blade to install the front pivot detend pin.

I did my first one with only basic tools I already had.

Originally Posted by American Rage

So how much for the tools?

I ask b/c a buddy of mine and I talk once in awhile about building an AR.

The problem is that by the time I factor in the tools needed for a one time build, I'm better off buying. And that's what I did the last time I got a new AR.

I bought a complete lower w/ a 6 position stock locally for around $250 tax included, and then ordered an upper from Armalite that cost around $525 plus shipping. IIRC my new rifle came in at just under $800 by 10 or 15 bucks.

I imagine that I could have saved $100 to $150 by building it myself. But I also imagine the tools would have cost me about the same. So, I took the easy way out.

Also, I'm interested in purchasing used Military uppers and mounting them on a new AR lower. So, I can't help but wonder what would be needed to build a lower from scratch as opposed to both the upper and the lower.

the only tools really needed to build an ar from parts (other than common hammers and punches) is the cheap armorers wrench and a torque wrench. if your using an adjustable stock, the more expensive wrench in the top of schutez's pic would better suit you. assuming, of course, that you didnt mean what you said. if you want to build your upper "from scratch" will also require a lathe to line bore the thru-hole, and thread for the barrel nut, as well as a mill for the rest of the profile, and a wide selection of cutters for each, as well as files.